Containment Grows on California Wildfire That Forced Thousands to Evacuate

Containment has continued to increase on the Sandy fire in Simi Valley, which prompted evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people in Ventura County earlier this week. Though fire activity has slowed, the blaze still poses danger, fire officials said.

The fire is 22% contained and has burned 2,115 acres. It had been only 15% contained on Wednesday morning. Evacuation orders are still in effect for several areas.

Despite continued warm temperatures and gusty winds, overall fire activity currently remains minimal, according to CalFire.

“Firefighters continue to make strong progress on the fire by utilizing direct suppression tactics to strengthen containment lines and increase overall containment of the incident. Interior pockets of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter continue to burn out and produce visible smoke,” an update from CalFire states. “Steep terrain and challenging weather conditions continue to create difficult working conditions for firefighters as crews remain actively engaged in suppression efforts both on the ground and in the air.”

Related: California Fire Spread Slows But Dangerous Conditions Linger

More than 850 firefighters and 106 engines are assigned to the fire. One structure has reportedly been destroyed.

Other fires around the region include the Bain fire burning near Riverside, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. The fire lead to evacuation orders and warnings for more than 39,000 people. It is now 34% contained and has burned 1,456 acres.

The Santa Rosa Island Fire, burning off the coast of California on Santa Rosa Island, has burned 17,554 acres. The fire is 44% contained. The fire is listed as human caused. It began on Friday, after a man crashed a boat on the island’s coast and fired emergency flares, which caused the wildfire, according to fire officials.

Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Wildfire